This video explains albedo - the concept that the brightness of the Earth system (atmosphere, ocean, and land surfaces) determines how much incoming solar energy is immediately reflected back to space. Reflected shortwave energy and land albedo...(View More) products demonstrate the seasonal and geographic variability of this critical climate process. ClimateBits videos are designed for Science On a Sphere (SOS) and also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental links).(View Less)

This brief (1:55) video describes the tropical monsoon weather pattern using global imagery of clouds, precipitation and fires visible from space. The discussion of the cycle also includes the impacts on people and on farming. ClimateBits videos are...(View More) designed for Science On a Sphere (SOS) and also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental resources).(View Less)

This video explains air quality and specifically describes Earth's air pollution seen from space by satellites. As the world's largest environmental health risk, air pollution is important to understand, monitor, and reduce. Over the past 10 years,...(View More) air pollution has reached epic levels in some places in the world, even as air quality has improved in other places. ClimateBits videos are designed for Science On a Sphere (SOS) and also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental resources).(View Less)

This video features NASA scientist Claire Parkinson explaining atmospheric carbon dioxide levels seen in measurements collected at the Mauna Loa observatory since 1958 and recent global model output. The seasonal cycle of plants on land and in the...(View More) ocean explains the annual rise and fall of carbon dioxide. The long-term trend toward more CO2 in our atmosphere is largely due to human activity. We are putting CO2 into the air faster than nature can remove it.(View Less)

This brief (1:37) video explains the essential Earth science concept of solar radiation - the source of most energy on Earth. ClimateBits videos are designed for Science On a Sphere (SOS) and also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more...(View More) information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental resources).(View Less)

This brief (1:53) video describes the UV (Ultraviolet) index and presents a visual range of its monthly strength at Earth's surface. The factors that influence that range- the sun's angle, ozone thickness, clouds, air pollution, surface reflection,...(View More) and land elevation- are presented. ClimateBits videos are designed for Science On a Sphere (SOS) and also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental resources).(View Less)

This brief (1:58) video provides an explanation of El Niño and its impact on the marine food web. Satellite images of a large El Niño in 2015 show the impact on both water temperature and phytoplankton blooms. ClimateBits videos are designed for...(View More) Science On a Sphere (SOS) and are also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental resources).(View Less)

This brief (1:46) video explains the stratospheric ozone layer and its role in absorbing harmful UV radiation from the sun. The visualization shows how the thickness of the ozone layer varies with air flow aloft and seasons, and where the biggest...(View More) changes occur. The narration also explains the benefits of the ozone layer and, when depleted, its impacts. ClimateBits videos are designed for Science On a Sphere (SOS) and also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental resources).(View Less)

Locations and causes of both floods and landslides can be determined through satellite data. This short video (2:02 minutes) features the Application Science Lead for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, Dr. Dalia Kirschbaum,...(View More) discussing how GPM data and images can be used to study and predict those two phenomena.(View Less)

The consequences of both sea ice melting and increases in ocean water temperature are presented in this examination of sea level- another of Earth's vital signs. This lesson is part of the Climate Kids website, a NASA education resource featuring...(View More) articles, videos, images and games focused on the science of climate change.(View Less)